Electric railway.



No. 832,416.Nv

PATENTED OCT. 2, 1906.

L. W. PULLEN. ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY18.1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED OCT. 2, 1906.

L. W. PULLEN. ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

APPLIOATION rxLBD 11m19.190s.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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PATEII'IED OCT. 2, 1906.

L. W. PULL-EN. 'ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 1re, 1905.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3y LEON W. PULLEN, CF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2, 190,6.

Application led May 18,1905. Serial No. 260,988.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON W. PULLEN, of Camden, county of Camden, andState of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Electric Railways,of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to electric rail- Ways; and it consists ofcertain improvements which are fully set forth in the followingspecification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a partthereof.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable construction forautomatic contacts arranged at intervals along the railwaytrack adaptedfor use in conjunction with a ycurrent-collecting device carried on thecar, such as set out in my Letters Patent No. 791,816 of June 6, 1905,.and in which the circuits Jforming a supply-conductor are automaticallyclosed successively under magnetic attraction to energize thecontactblocks immediately under the car during its travel.

My invention lconsists of certain details of construction which will bebetter understood by reference to the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is asectional elevation of part of a railway-track and contact-blockembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is `an elevationof my improved contactblock. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the magneticand circuit-closing parts of my contactbox removed from thesupportingblock. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the working parts ofthe improved circuit-closing switch mechanism of the contact-block,showing a modification of same. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of aportion of same, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the upper member of theswitch of the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and Figs. 8 and 9 aresectional views of modifications.

A is the cross-tie, which supports the rails B, one only of which isshown.

C is -the magnetically-operated contactblock and is supported by thecross-tie. In practice these contact-blocks are arranged at intervalsalong the track, so as to have one or more of them at all times underthe car, as set out in my Letters Patent referred to above. Morespecifically, these contact-*blocks are constructed as follows: A stoneor concrete block H is formed with a central recess comprising theapertures H H2 H3, gradually decreasing in area and connected,respectively, by shoulders H4 and H5. The lower outer sides of the blockH are notched, as at h, into which retaining-irons I extend and by whichthe said blocks are clamped .down upon the timber F,'resting upon thecross-tie. These retaining-irons are secured to the timber F by screwsor otherwise, and said timber is held down upon the cross-tie by screws,or nails. Fitting into the upper part of the stone or concrete block isthe upper part of the switch and contact, and this consists of thecentral contact-bar K, having the upwardly-extending head and formed ofmanganese steel, which is non-magnetic and very durable; the two sideplatesJ J of magnetic metal, such as wrought or cast iron; the brassplate L, having the downwardlyextending fingers l; the magneticsegmental plates M M secured to the under side of the plate L; theperforated brass plate N, having apertures n and secured to andextending between the plates M M the movable contact-cups O, looselyfitting the apertures, and conducting-springs P, surrounding the fingersand pressing downward upon the contactcups. The parts J, K, J', and Lform a square or rectangle in plan, and the parts M N M form a circle inthe preferred form. The plate L is secured to both the parts M M and J Jby screws. The plate L rests upon the shoulder H4 and is madeliquid-tight by packing m, supported in a groove in the shoulder H4, andby a liquid cement orsealingpacking 7c, poured into the spaces betweenthe sides of the recess H and the metal J J K and vallowed to harden. Inthis way no moisture can have access into the armaturechamber H2.

R is an armature, circular in plan and preferably having an uppersurface of copper r for making a good conducting connection with thecontact-cups C. This armatureis loosely supported by the shoulder H5within the armature-chamber H2 of the stone or concrete block H. Aspring S is arranged in the chamber H3 below the armature and pressesupward against it, so as to greatly reduce its dead weight, and therebyenable the said armature to be lifted by magnetic attraction withoutvery great effort. This e11- ables me to employ a strong armature andyet one which may be easily lifted. Current is supplied to the armatureby a flexible conductor T, the lower end of which is secured to thebranch conductor Gr, leading from the supply-conductor D, extendingalong the ICG IIO

railway. This branch ,conductor .G is inf duit or wrapper E of suitableconstruction.,

The bottom of the spring-chamber H3 is enlarged where the conductorGenters, and this space is sealed by a cement packing 25. By this meansno moisture canpass upward into the interior of the block H, so that allWorking parts are kept dry and free from dirt and rust. The contact-barKtightly fits between the magnetic plates J J and is clamped in positionby the straps V V, of brass or other non-magnetic metal, said strapsbeing held down by the nuts of the bolts W at the four outer corners ofthe plates J J and which extend through the stone or concrete block.These bolts, furthermore, pass through the plate L.

It will be seen that the construction herein set out embodies cheapness,durability, perfect contact, simplicity, and ease ofrepair.

In practice the north and "south poles of the magnets carried on the carpass, respectively, over 'the magnetic plates J and J and these throughthe parts M M convey the magnetism to the armature It, which is head K.

caused to rise and make Contact with the cups O. The current passes fromthe conductor D through branch G, flexible conductor T,

and armature to the cups O, and from these by springs P, iingers Z,plate L, contact-bar Y K, and head K to the collector on the car,

which is made to travel in contact-with the As soon as the magnet-polespass out of the immediate vicinity of the plates J J the armature Rfalls and opens the circuit.

Y By' using the spring S to counterbalance the greater portion of theweight of the arma! ture R only a small degree of magnetization isrequired to lift the armature. Foi` this reay e son a large and heavyarmature maybe used, and consequently a more positive contact with thecups O secured.

In the construction shown in Figs. 5, 6, and

'7 the plate L carries the perforated plate N, j s secured to it at N.

modification of my invention the coiled Furthermore, in this springs P(shown in Figs. l and 4) are substituted by plate-springs P riveted atone end to the plate N and at the other secured to the T cups O, withwhich the armature R makes contact. This construction is somewhat moresimple than that of Figs. l to 4 and has the advanta e that the path ofthe electric current wou d be over parts positively secured together,and hence there would be less liability of deterioration due to wear,and, furthermore, the movement of the contact- 'cups O in the perforatedplate N will be more accurate and positive. While I have shown four ofthe contact-cups O, I do not restrict myself to any particular number ofthem, as my invention would include one or more. By the use ofspring-contacts with an armature which comes up positively and firmly tostationary portions, such as N or M, there is no possibility of arcingat the contact-cups O, due to vibration, and hence the closure andmaintenance of closure of the circuit are most positive and sure. Thearmature is drawn up quickly and held firmly to the mag netic parts J MJ M, and the springs P or P insure the contact-cups adjusting themselvesto the armature automatically and secure the maintenance of a closedcircuit so long as the armature remains raised. No vibration or jarringdue to the passage of the car could in any manner interrupt the circuitby impairing the direct connection between the armature andcontact-cups, as must occur if this contact were the result of anyattempted accurate fitting of theseparts relatively to each other. It isevident that while the contacts O are more positive when presseddownward or toward the armature by the springs they may' simply be madeheavy, as shown at O" in Fig. 8, and connected by an arm P2 with theplate N, through which they project, the said weight acting to keep thecontacts pressed upon the armature R when raised. The arm P2 may bewithout elasticity or may be similar to springs P, as desired, theweight O of the contact being wholly or partially relied upon tomaintain the connection with the armature. In Fig. 5 I have shown aspiral spring T, of flat sheet metal, stamped out of a sheet of springbrass or copper and stretched into shape shown. This spring may act asthe flexible conductor connecting the armature R with the conductor Galone or also as the counterbal'ancing-spring support to take the placeof spring S in Fig. l. This spring T will give to the armature R aslight rotary motion on rising, so that when it touches the contacts Oit will tend 'to keep the contact-surfaces bright and clean. This samelfunction is also accomplished by the employment of the at springs P, asit gives to the contacts O an eccentric or rocking motion when pushedupward by the armature, and hence causesv a rubbing between thecontact-surfaces. The contact O may be of metal, carbon, or othersuitable material, as desired. In Fig. 9 I have shown the same generalconstruction as that of Figs. 5, 6, and 7; butin this case the plate Nis secured to the magnetic parts M M instead of to the vplate L. In allof these forms of my invention there are two elements which constitutethe immediate circuit-closing switch, one being the armature which isbrought up into a fixed position against a support under the influenceof magnetic attraction 'and the other a movable and compensatingcontact, which IOO TTO

adapts itself to the position of the armature either in open or closedcircuit and is limited in its movement only in a direction toward thearmature. The downward limit to the movable contacts O prevents anypossibility of a live box when the armature has fallen.

While I prefer .the construction shown, I do not limit myself to thedetails, as these may be modified without departing from' the spirit ofthe invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. A circuit-closing contact-block for yan electric railway consistingof a hollow block of insulating material open at the top, combined witha compound plate structure sealing the opening at the top comprising twoside plates of magnetic material a central `contact-bar of non-magneticmaterial with which the collector onthe car may make contact and asealing-plate itting the opening in the top of the hollow block and uponwhich the side plates and contact-bar rests, one member .of a .circuitmaking and breaking switch secured to the under side of thesealing-plate of the compound plate structure, a movable armatureofmagnetic material forming the other member of the switch extending undereach of the side plates of magnetic material, and a ilexible conductorextending through the lower part of the hollow block and connected tothe armature whereby the latter may rise and close the electric circuit.

2. A circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway .consistingof a hollow block of insulating material open at the top, combinedwith acompound plate structure sealing the opening at the top comprising twoside plates of magnetic material and a central contact-bar ofnon-magnetic material with which the collector on the car may makecontact, one member of a circuit making and breaking switch secured tothe under side of the compound plate structure and comprising a seriesof spring conducting-surfaces, a movable armature of magnetic materialforming the other member of the switch extending under each of the sideplates of magnetic material, and a iiexible conductor extending throughthe lower part of the hollow block and connected to the armature wherebythe latter may rise and close the electric circuit through the springconducting-surfaces.

3. A circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway consisting ofa hollow block of insulating material open at the top, comf bined with acompound plate structure sealing the opening at the top comprising twoside plates of magnetic material and a central contact-bar ofnon-magnetic material with which the collector on the car may makecontact, one member of a circuit making and breaking switch secured tothe under side of the compound plate structure, a movable armature .ofmagnetic material forming the other member .of the switch `extendingunder each of the side plates of magnetic material, a flexible conductorextending through the lower part of the hollow block and connected tothe armature whereby the latter mayrise and close the electric circuit,and a counter;- balancei-spring to counterbalance a material portion ofthe weight of the armature.

4. A circuitfclosing contact-block for an electric rialway consisting ofa hollow block of insulating material open at the top and having ashoulder H4, combined with a cornpound plate structure resting upon theshoulder and sealing the opening at the top comprising two side platesof magnetic material a central contact-bar of non-magnetic material withwhich the collector .on the car may make contact and a sealing-plateitting down upon the shoulders of the hollow block and upon which platethe side plates and ycontact-bar to the armature whereby the latter mayrise and close the electric circuit.

5. A circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway whichconsists ,of a hollow block of insulating material, combined with a isealing-plate structurev comprising the central contact-bar K K the sideplates J of magnetic material, the plate L uniting the plates J J theparts M M of magnetic material -below the respective plates J J', andthe perforated plate N between the parts M M, contact-cups O supportedin the apertures of the plate N, springs connecting the cups`electrically with the plate L, an armature .of magnetic. materialarranged within the hollow block and below the contact-cups and parts MMf, and a conductor for supplying electricity to the armature.

6. The combination of the insulating hollow block with two plates ofmagnetic material separated a short distance apart and arranged at theupper part of the hollow block, a non-magnetic contact portion arrangedintermediate of said plates and having one member of a circuit-closingswitch extending downward into the hollow space of the block, anarmature of magnetic material forming the other member of thecircuit-closing switch and arranged below the magnetic plates, aflexible connection for supplying electricity from a source outside .ofthe block to the armature therein, and a counterbal- IOO IIO

ancing-spring for supplying a large portion` of the weight of thearmature whereby it may be easily raised by magnetic attraction throughthe magnetic plates.

7. In a contact-block for electric railways, the combination of a hollowblock, a transverse plate having downwardly-extending fingers, a surfacecontact extending above the plate, springs surrounding said fingers, aperforated plate below the fingers, contactcups supported by theperforated plate and projecting through the apertures therein and alsoin connection with the springs, and an armaturev arranged below theperforated plate adapted to be brought into electrical connection withthe contact-cups to close an electric circuit, and a source of electricsupply connecting with the armature.

8. In a contact-block for electric railways, the combination of a hollowblock, a transverse plate having downwardly-extending fingers, a surfacecontact extending above the plate, springs surrounding said fingers, aperforated plate below the fingers, contactcups supported by theperforated plate and projecting through the apertures therein and alsoin connection with the springs, two side plates ofv magnetic materialrespectively arranged upon opposite lateral sides of the 1ingers springsand contact-cups, and an armature of magnetic material arranged belowthe perforated plate adapted to be brought into` electrical connectionwith the contact-cups to close an electric circuit, and a source ofelectric supply connecting with the armature.

9. In a contact-block for electric railways, the combination of aninsulating-block, two magnetic side plates J J and an intermediatecontact-bar K of non-magnetic material arranged at the upper part of theblock, bolts W for the lates J to hold them to the insulating-bloc andtransverse clamping-strips V extending over the ends of the bar K.

10. In a contact-block for electric railways, a hollow block ofinsulating` material open at the top, combined with a magnetic armaturewithin the hollow block, a conductor of electricity connecting with thearmature, a magnetic compound structure sealing the open top of thehollow block andcomposed of two magnetic parts separated by anon-magnetic contact part, and an adjustable contact arranged above thearmature and secured to the under part of the compound structure.

1 1. .In a contact-block for electric railways, a hollow block ofinsulating material open at the top, combined with a magnetic armaturewithin the hollow block, a counterbalancingspring for the armature, aconductor of electricity connecting with the armature, a magneticcompound structure sealing the open top of the'hollow block and composedof two magnetic parts separated by a non-magnetic -contact part, and aseries of adjustable contacts arranged above the armature and sel curedto the under part of the compound structure.

12. A circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway consistingof a hollow block of insulating'material open at the top, combined witha compound plate structure sealing the opening at the top comprising twoside plates of magnetic material and a central contact-bar ofnon-magnetic material with which the collector on the car may makecontact, one member of a circuit making and breaking switch secured tothe under side of the compound plate structure and movably supported bya spring, a movable armature of magnetic material forming the othermember of the switch extending under each of the side plates of magneticmaterial, and a flexible, conductor extending through the lower part ofthe hollow block and connected to the armature whereby the latter mayrise and close the electricl circuit.

13. In a circuit-closing block for an electric railway, the combinationof a contact part for directly supplying current to the car, an armatureadapted to be raised by magnetic attraction, asupport against which thearmature is positively drawn when raised, and a spring-contactelectrically connected with the contact part and having acircuitclosing'part spring-pressed against the armature only when in itsraised position.

14. In a circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway, thecombination of a contact part for directly supplying current to the car,an armature adapted to be raised by magnetic attraction, a supportagainst which the armature is positively drawn when raised, and aspring-contact consisting of a spring, a perforated plate carrying thespring and electrically connected with the contact part and acircuit-closing part secured to the spring and extending through theperforation in the perforated plate whereby it is spring-pressed againstthe armature only when in its raised position.

15. In a contact-block for an electric railway, a compound platecomprising two magnetic portions and a non-magnetic contact part betweenthem for supplying current to the car, combined with an armature adaptedto be raised by magnetic attraction and in circuit with thesupply-conductor of the rail- IOO IIO

way, and ya spring-actuated circuit-closing part electrically connectedto the non-magnetic contact part and adapted to press 4against thearmature when raised to form a LEON W. PUIJLEN.

Witnesses:

R. M. KELLY, M. J. EYRE.

